Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, North Fordham and University Heights norwoodnews.org NORWOOD NEWS Vol. 24, No. 20 ■ PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ‘Occupy’ Movement Takes Up Residence in the Bronx By ALEX KRATZ
Gabriel De Los Santos, a veteran of the Occupy Wall Street move - ment now stretching into its second month, showed up at the first Occupy the Bronx rally at Fordham Plaza last Saturday. He held a hand-written cardboard sign, a replica of dozens he had created and distributed during the past month. It read: “Land of the Free? Hypocrisy.” Sporting a backwards Suicidal Tendencies baseball cap, sleeveless black Cannibal Corpse T-shirt and a faint wisp of a mustache, De Los Santos is 15-year-old student at Lehman High School who lives just blocks from Fordham Plaza. He was one of close to 100 people who attended the rally — evidence that the Occupy movement is spread - ing, not only to the outer boroughs, but to locations around the world. Similar Occupy-type rallies took place last Saturday in Chicago, Rome, Sydney, Tokyo and Hong Kong, according to the New York Times. The movement, which is loosely focused on remedying income inequality for the “99 percent” of Americans who are not rich, has been criticized for lacking a clear objective. But attendees at the Fordham rally, which was initiated by Fordham University students and alumni, weren’t concerned with coming up with a list of demands. They were focused on growing an all-inclusive movement guided by direct, grassroots democracy. The Occupy movement doesn’t have “leaders,” but they do have Photo by Michael Premo “facilitators” who foster dialogue and discussion, by literally using AFTER GATHERING in Fordham Plaza, Occupy the Bronx protesters marched up Fordham Road to col - the power of human voices. Everyone at the rally, called a “general lectively jump on a train that would take them to join the Occupy Wall Street community in downtown assembly” or “GA” in Occupy-speak, was given an opportunity to Manhattan. talk and participate. Speakers took turns and spoke in short bursts, which the rest of the group repeated loudly. Erik Maldonado, a poet who lives in Kingsbridge and performs under the name Advocate of Wordz, talked about the need to spread Cemetery for Famous Registered the Occupy movement into the Bronx. “We must occupy space in the Bronx,” he said, pausing to allow As National Landmark (continued on p. 4) By EMILY PICCONE ver Linden, White Pine, Weeping Beech and other PS 51 Parents seedlings that would grow to become the aging Since 1863, the sprawling Woodlawn Cemetery trees that shade the grounds, making it feel more has seen jazz greats, literary giants, political lead - like an arboretum than a resting place. ers and everyone in between entombed above and While not typically associated with revival, the Hold Rally, Walcott beneath its hallowed grounds. On Sunday, Oct. 16, speakers all connected the designation and the the cemetery was inducted into the National His - cemetery as another signal of the continued toric Landmark Registry. It is the sixth Bronx (continued on p. 10 ) Agrees to Meet institution to make the list. “From every racial background, the Woodlawn By RONALD CHAVEZ Cemetery represents the largest and most distin - guished register of mausoleums in the country,” After persistent lobbying, Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said said John Liu, the New York City Comptroller. he would meet with parents of students at PS 51, the Bronx New The ceremony joined together Woodlawn School, which was moved from Bedford Park to Crotona after the Cemetery President John P. Toale, Bronx Borough building the school had inhabited for nearly two decades was found President Ruben Diaz, Jr., State Senator Jeffrey to be contaminated. Klein, Bronx Historian Lloyd Ultan, Lehman Col - But parents, who rallied outside of a Panel for Education Policy lege President Ricardo Fernandez, and many oth - meeting that Walcott attended, say they’re still skeptical about the ers who assisted in distinguishing the cemetery as Department of Education’s willingness to address their concerns. a National Landmark. It’s been three months since parents were alerted to the fact that At the cemetery’s Jerome Avenue entrance, the Bedford Park building that housed the Bronx New School had among some of the more illustrious mausoleums, Photo by David Greene tested positive for sky-high levels of trichloroethylene, a toxin linked the speakers were joined by the classical quintet, AT THE LANDMARK unveiling are (l-r): Bronx to cancer. The school was moved to St. Martin of Tours on 182nd The Bardekova Ensemble. Historian Lloyd Ultan, Comptroller John Liu, Street in Crotona with just weeks to go before the start of the school Originally designed to be a “rural cemetery,” Woodlawn President John Toale and Borough year. Woodlawn’s creators covered the grounds with Sil - President Ruben Diaz, Jr. (continued on p. 10 )
■ Cabrera Pushes Sector Stats Bill PAGE 2 ■ Be Healthy! PAGE 4 ■ St. Brendan’s Celebrates Filipino Side PAGE 6 www.norwoodnews.org 2 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News In The Public Interest
Vol. 24, No. 20 Cabrera Pushes for Transparency on Neighborhood Crime Stats
Norwood News is published Spurred on by a Norwood News campaign, Councilman Fer - bi-weekly on Thursdays by nando Cabrera introduced legislation this month that would Mosholu Preservation Corporation force the New York City Police Department to publish neigh - 3400 Reservoir Oval East borhood crime statistics each month. Bronx, New York 10467 On its website, the NYPD provides updated crime statistics for each of the city’s precincts. But police also generate statistics for Phone: 718 324 4998 several neighborhoods within each precinct. Those more detailed Fax: 718 324 2917 and localized statistics are provided by some precinct comman - E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.norwoodnews.org ders. But most, including the those in the 52nd Precinct, force you to file a Freedom of Information Law request to obtain the statis - tics. The NYPD can take anywhere from a few months to more than a year to fulfill most FOIL requests. Cabrera says providing the statistics to the public is “not an Publisher CEO, Mosholu Mosholu Preservation Preservation option, it’s a necessity.” Corporation Corporation For politicians, nonprofit organizations and other communi - ty leaders, the statistics are equally important, he says. Without Editor-in-Chief Roberto S. Garcia them, “As an elected official, I don’t know how to target my the neighborhoods to take initiative.” Alex Kratz resources.” Though the bill was only introduced two weeks ago, Cabrera Staff Writer In addition, Cabrera says having the statistics “empowers says it has the strong support of “18 or 19” council members. To Jeanmarie Evelly avoid the possibility of a veto, Cabrera says the bill needs 34 Classified Advertising Next Issue: Local Sector Stats members to vote for it. Over the coming weeks, he will be lob - Dawn McEvoy bying members, setting up meetings for organizations to lobby Analyzed other members and preparing for a hearing on the legislation. Accounts Receivable This fall, more than a year after the Norwood News filed a Dawn McEvoy “I can’t imagine why a council member would not want to Freedom of Information Law request for sector statistics in know where the crimes are taking place,” he said. Proofreader the 52nd Precinct, the NYPD mailed them to the paper’s Nor - The focus on public safety becomes especially important, Judy Noy wood-area headquarters. In our next issue, which will hit the given that the Police Department is down some 7,000 officers Production streets on Nov. 3, the Norwood News will break down neigh - from its peak force only a few years ago. Neil deMause borhood crime stats for each of the 52nd Precinct’s 15 indi - “I don’t buy that we can do more with less,” Cabrera said, Regular Contributors vidual sectors over the past five years. We’ll provide even adding that, “There’s a critical mass point where that’s all David Greene, Adi Talwar, Jasmeet Sidhu, more analysis on our website, norwoodnews.org. you’re going to get.” —ALEX KRATZ Nathaniel Herz, Lindsay Armstrong Interns Ronald Chavez, Emily Piccone Mayor’s ‘Young Men’s Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who attended last sity and CUNY Hunter, said he wanted to week’s event. “It’s the best place to start do something productive during his time For display advertising, call Initiative’ Focused on when you’re dealing with the achieve - off from Albany (the legislative session (718) 324-4998. Reading ment gap.” starts back up in January) and thought In addition to the Bronx Library Cen - the classes would help stress the impor - Mayor Bloomberg and a number of Support Your ter, the Young Adult Literacy Program tance of civic participation to his con - city and elected officials gathered at the Community Newspaper! will now operate at the Mott Haven and stituents. Bronx Library Center on Kingsbridge The Norwood News is a not-for-profit West Farms branch libraries, as well at “I’ve always believed that people need Road last week to launch the first effort of publication and relies upon the support of the Highbridge Community Life Center to participate in local government,” the city’s “Young Men’s Initiative,” a $127 its advertisers and readers to produce a and the nonprofit BronxWorks. Rivera said. “People should understand million multi-agency program unveiled quality community newspaper. To support —JEANMARIE EVELLY how government works so they can your paper, become a member and this summer to address the disparities demand more of their government.” receive a subscription for one year (25 faced by the city’s young black and Latino The classes started last week and will issues) and benefits like the Bronx men. Sen. Rivera Teaching Free be held every Thursday evening, from 6 to Cultural Card. The first leg of the initiative will focus 7 p.m. until Nov. 3 at the Bronx Library on improving youth reading skills, the Civics Classes Bronx State Sen. Gustavo Rivera is get - Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd. Future Simply mail check or money order for mayor announced last week, with $3 mil - $40 to: Norwood News, 3400 Reservoir ting back to his roots as educator, teach - series are being planned for other areas lion funneled to the expansion of the Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467. ing a series of free civics classes this of the district. Young Adult Literacy Program, which month at the Bronx Library Center that Classes are free and open to the public, works with 16 to 24 year olds who read Norwood News is not responsible for cover topics like the Constitution and the and you can attend one or attend all, typographical errors. Opinions expressed between the fourth and eighth grade lev - Bill of Rights, elections and how different Rivera said. To RSVP or for more infor - in signed letters and bylined columns rep - els. The program, founded in 2008, will levels of government work. mation, call (718) 933-2034. resent the sole opinion of the author and now be offered at 17 sites across the city Rivera, who has taught at Pace Univer - are not necessarily those of Mosholu and will nearly double the number of par - —JEANMARIE EVELLY Preservation Corporations or Montefiore ticipants to an estimated 1,000 young peo - Medical Center. Editorials represent the ple this year. views of the editor and/or publisher only. “The importance of education — of Public and Community Meetings The newspaper reserves the right to limit or refuse advertising it deems objection - knowing how to read — cannot be over - • The Bedford Mosholu CoMMuniTy AssoCiATion will be holding their month - able. Advertisements appearing in this stated,” Bloomberg said. “We launched ly meeting on Wednesday nov. 2 at 8 p.m. it will be located at 400 e. Mosholu Pkwy., paper cannot be used without the written the Young Men’s Initiative to help more so., apt. B1 (lobby floor). permission of Norwood News . Letters to young men fulfill their potential. The the editor are subject to condensation and Young Adult Literacy Program reaches • The CoMMuniTy disTriCT 10 eduCATion CounCil will meet on Thursday, oct. editing. Writers should include their out to our most disconnected young men 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Ps 33, 2424 Jerome Ave. Meeting will include a presentation by affiliation or special interest if any. and our most vulnerable populations and deputy Chancellor suransky on Common Core standards and a presentation on the Anonymous letters are not published but gets them back on the track to a high Contract 4 excellence by the office of Portfolio Planning. for more information, call your name can be withheld if requested. school diploma, a job and the hope of a (718) 741-5836 or e-mail: [email protected]. better tomorrow.” Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a In Bronx School District 10, which not-profit support corporation of includes all of the Norwood News ’ cover - Follow the Norwood News Montefiore Medical Center. age area, only 33 percent of elementary and high school students passed last on Facebook and year’s state English Language Arts exam. “The importance of basic literacy can - @norwoodnews on Twitter not be exaggerated,” said Bronx State October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 3
We love, welcome and encourage letters to the editor and opinion articles from readers. Write to: Editor, Norwood News, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467. Fax: (718) 324-2917; or Opinion. e-mail: [email protected]. Op-Ed Welcome to the Norwood News’ Digital Evolution Dear Readers, tion, plus features like Neighborhood Notes (our guide to Facebook page, which you can find by searching “Nor - Whether you are a regular reader of the Norwood local programs, services and announcements) and Out & wood News.” But you will need an account if you want News or you are just picking up this free newspaper for About (our arts and entertainment calendar). We will to contribute to the conversation, which we strongly the first time, I would like to personally thank you for also include a link to a pdf version of the actual print edi - encourage you to do. your support of vital community journalism. Now, tion in case you want to read the paper, as it was pro - As for Twitter, you will need to set up an account at starting this week, we would like to reward you for duced, on your computer (or smart tablet or iPhone, etc.). twitter.com and then choose to “follow” @norwoodnews. your support by offering you more. More news. More On norwoodnews.org you will also find our new These social media outlets will sometimes provide photos. More information. More analysis. More multi- blog, Breaking Bronx, which will not only still focus on you with information you won’t get on norwood - media. All of this for free. I know. Sounds too good to be our core readership neighborhoods, but will also news.org, but for the most part, Facebook and Twitter true, right? Let me explain. branch out into covering more boroughwide stories will alert you to new stories, information and features For nearly a quarter century (we began publishing in when the news is, well, breaking; or blowing up into that you will be able to find on norwoodnews.org, 1988!), the Norwood News has produced quality, vibrant something everyone in the Bronx and, most important - which will also give you access to Breaking Bronx. and civically important journalism through its print edi - ly, you, should have access to. We hope these new online features will not only tion. We began as a bimonthly newspaper covering just Breaking Bronx will include stuff that we couldn’t bring the Norwood News into the digital age, but allow one neighborhood: Norwood. Today, we publish every two fit into the print edition, like photos, graphs, maps or you to more fully engage with us and the community weeks and cover the neighborhoods of Community Dis - interviews with sources that we couldn’t squeeze into you live in. Start a running dialogue by commenting on trict 7 — Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and Universi - the body of a certain story. This will also be the plat - a Breaking Bronx story or a Facebook post. Tweet us ty Heights — plus anything else borough, city, state or form where we will provide more multi-media. A photo back with a news tip. Or write us a letter and e-mail it nationwide that we feel is important or of interest to you. slideshow that will further illustrate a local street fes - to us at [email protected]. You know, The problem now is that our coverage cannot be tival. A video clip to go along with a sports story. An the old fashioned way. (And you can still mail us a a let - contained in the limited space we can afford to produce audio interview with a source from a housing piece. ter at 3400 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467, the bi-weekly. So, instead of having you wait for the next We are also integrating all of our coverage with two older fashioned way.) print edition for your news, we are working hard to popular social media outlets: Facebook and Twitter Enjoy. deliver it to you digitally via several online platforms. (handle: @norwoodnews). We’ll be updating you about The heart of this extended coverage will be the Nor - events, announcements, meetings, stories and break - Alex Kratz, wood News website, norwoodnews.org, where we will still ing news through both of these powerful vehicles. Editor-in-Chief, Norwood News provide you with every story produced in the print edi - You don’t even need an account to check out our [email protected]
11/30/11 11/30/11 4 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News
The number of family related homicides that took place in the Bronx Vital last year, according to the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For more Stats Be Heal thy! 18 information, visit www.nyc.gov/html/ocdv/html/home/home.shtml.
Be Healthy! Answers Your therapy,” or paying close attention to the Each speaker circled back to the son received a heart transplant at Monte - types of foods you eat and avoiding the urgent need for education on healthy eat - fiore Hospital last year and has recovered Questions ones that seem to cause the worst symp - ing and exercise, a message that schools well enough to try and bike the borough. toms. But since you say this is happening and doctors’ offices should be preaching “For a long time I couldn’t even walk. Q: I would like to know why my nose every time you eat or drink, she says a as well, Rivera said. Brent discussed how Now I’m exercising three times a week runs whenever I eat or drink. This has been prescription nasal spray called Atrovent, to properly read a nutrition label; Pace and willing to try new things like Tour de occurring for a number of years and is which blocks nerve receptors in the nose and Gaudinot led a martial arts demon - Bronx,” Watson said. very disturbing and embarrassing. I don’t that trigger the release of mucous, can be stration. It’s the largest free cycling event in the have any allergies or an ongoing cold. I am an effective remedy. Days before the event, Rivera partici - state, according to a press release. Bicy - a junior senior, in reasonably good health, Got a health question you’d like us to pated in a nationwide online webcast clists can choose between a 25-mile of average height and weight, and do not answer? Be Healthy! Wants to know what about obesity with State Sen. Andrew course designed for all skill levels or a take any medications. What is the cause you want to know. E-mail your health Lanza, of Great Kills, New York. more rigorous 40-mile course, for more and how can this be remedied — preferably queries to: Norwoodnews@norwood - “Childhood obesity has long term experienced bikers. without medication? —Judy Noy news.org. —JEANMARIE EVELLY effects,” Lanza said during the panel dis - The tour starts at the Bronx County cussion. “We stand to be witness to the Building on 161st Street and the Grand A: There is a technical term for what Assemblywoman Aims to first generation of Americans who may Concourse, heads into Mott Haven, then you’re experiencing: gustatory rhinitis. not be as healthy and live as long as their snakes around the southeastern edges of “Rhinitis” is the fancy word for runny ‘Fight the Bulge’ parents.” —EMILY PICCONE the borough. It pulls northward and to nose, and “gustatory” is relating to food Teaming up with professional mixed the west after Throgs Neck and ends near and tasting—in short, gustatory rhinitis martial artists, a celebrity fitness trainer Training Wheels Off: Tour Bedford Park. means the mucous membranes in your and a dietician from Jacobi Medical Cen - To register for this year’s Tour de Bronx, nasal passages get irritated when you eat ter, Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera has De Bronx Returns head to http://tourdebronx.org/register or or drink, resulting in the kind of unpleas - set out to tackle childhood obesity in her Bronx bicycling enthusiasts can get in call (718) 590-3518. —RONALD CHAVEZ ant symptoms you’re describing. new “Fight the Bulge” campaign. gear for the 17th annual Tour de Bronx, “Gustatory rhinitis is usually associ - The obesity epidemic has replaced as registration for the Oct. 23 event is now Health Calendar: ated with hot or spicy foods, but it can be smoking as the leading killer of Ameri - open. The tour is a joint project by Bronx a whole bunch of different foods that are cans, Rivera said in a press release, and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., advo - “Zumbathon,” to Fight causing it,” said Dr. Alexis Jackman, a Hispanic children are particularly at cacy group Transportation Alternatives, Diabetes rhinologist at Montefiore Medical Center risk: nearly half of Latinos born after the and local hospitals to promote health and In honor of National Diabetes Aware - and assistant professor at Einstein Col - year 2000 will develop diabetes, a recent exercise. ness Month, Montefiore Medical Center is lege of Medicine. “For most patients it’s study estimates. “Riding a bike around our borough is hosting a Zumbathon on Friday, Nov. 18 not [too] problematic, just a nuisance.” On Oct. 10, Rivera hosted an educa - the healthiest way to see the best of the from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mosholu Montefiore Gustatory rhinitis is more common tional forum at Bronx House, on Pelham Bronx, and I invite everyone to join me Community Center Gym, 3450 DeKalb among smokers and those with a history Parkway, to discuss the risks associated again this year to tour our wonderful bor - Ave. Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the of smoking, she said, and while the symp - with an unhealthy lifestyle and the best ough,” Diaz said in a press release. door, with all benefits going to Monte - toms resemble an allergic reaction, tactics for combating obesity. In atten - The borough president kicked off the fiore’s To Your Health! Wellness Initiative, they’re not usually caused by allergies. dance were personal trainer Donovan event at a press conference at the Chil - which seeks to improve the lifestyle behav - “A lot of the times it’s just a non-spe - Green, nutritionist Dr. Gloria Brent of dren’s Hospital at Montefiore last iors of Bronx residents. Please go to giv - cific response to certain chemicals,” in Jacobi Medical Center, and UFC profes - Wednesday. ing.montefiore.org/zumba to register. For food, Jackman said. sional fighters Nick Pace and Louis For Roxanne Watson, the event could more information, call (718) 920-5675. Jackman recommends “avoidance “Good Night” Gaudinot. be another marker in her recovery. Wat - ‘Occupy’ Movement Takes Up Residence in the Bronx
(continued from p. 1) and others have formed a “People of Color” working for amplification from the crowd, “to let them know we group (there are dozens, if not hundreds of working are serious.” groups within the Occupy movement) and passed out Like many others at the rally, Maldonado didn’t start fliers to events the group was hosting. participating in the movement until Occupy Wall Street While the general assembly spoke and worked its way was nearly two weeks old. He went just to check it out toward a consensus on when they should leave and walk and found people throwing around a “lot of ideas,” the to the train, which they would take down to Zuccotti most important being that the “voice of the people must Park, a group of people handed out Occu(pie) for suste - be heard,” he said. nance. Maldonado wasn’t concerned with the movement’s Maldonado recruited members to a “media team” he lack of definitive answers or demands. The point of the had created. “We can’t rely on the major media to cover movement, he said, was to create a community out of the this correctly,” he said. entire 99 percent and find common ground that everyone Someone told the GA about a rally later that day in can agree on — then come up with the answers. Times Square, where dozens would end up being arrest - A man in his 20s named Ferdinand who has family in ed. the Bronx but mostly stays in East Harlem, said he Looking on quietly was Fordham University student joined the movement late after hearing about it on the Louie Valencia who is working on a PhD in history, Internet. “At first, I was skeptical,” he said. “I didn’t specifically, the history of peace movements during the know if it would be for real. But it is so simple, it is bril - 1960s. Valencia was reading in Union Square a couple of liant. People all over the world are involved.” weeks earlier, when he saw police aggressively and vio - After passing by Zuccotti Park, the public park near lently chasing down protesters. Since then, he’s been Wall Street where the occupiers have set up a makeshift showing up at Zuccotti Park periodically, occupying community, Ferdinand spent a couple of nights there, space and being part of the movement. taking advantage of the free food and working in the As a Bronx resident, Valencia was pleased to see the community’s library and sanitation departments. movement branching out to his borough. As a student of “It just kept getting better and better,” he said. history, Valencia said the Occupy movement, which Elliott Liu, who works at a community garden in the started last spring in Tunisia, was “not something that’s Bronx, says he was inspired to join the movement after passing.” Some 1,700 protests all around the world were Photo by David Greene seeing police fail to dislodge the occupiers during the scheduled to take place that Saturday, he said. “That’s MEMBERS OF the Occupy the Bronx movement vowed first week. He said friends of his — from dishwashers to kind of huge.” As far as he knew, he said it was the “first to continue meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturdays at computer guys — were abuzz with the movement. Liu time this [type of movement] has happened worldwide.” Fordham Plaza. October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 5
Inquiring Photographer By DAVID GREENE This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The Bronx is the poorest Things are going real People are out to make I think it’s a good thing, I think it’s been a long congressional district in bad. The economy and a change. Think about it: making people aware, time coming. There the country, and is the everything. I support throughout history there and it puts people on have been a lot of borough most affected by what they’re doing, I just have been so many rev - their toes by protesting. things going wrong for a a lot of the income dis - hope everything comes olutions because people But I see some people long time and it’s good parities and inequalities out all right. People are didn’t like the things that protesting and they don’t to see people participat - that we see as a result of sticking up people, were happening, like even know what they’re ing in the discussion. If corporate greed. So it’s doing things that they high taxes, unfair wages protesting about. it grows stronger, some - really important that peo - don’t want to do. It’s and money problems, louis Carraslo thing good can come ple here stand up and New York City, we’re and they were just ordi - from it eventually, but if use their voice to really supposed to work nary people, just like it dies out, then nothing speak out against all of together, not rob each these people today. will come out of it. the inequalities that we’ve other. It’s bad, it’s really Gabriel de los santos People have to keep been seeing in this coun - bad. the pressure on. try for a very long time. Miguel salichs William Michael nora hirozawa 6 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News Filipino Parish of St. Brendan’s Celebrates 17 Years
By LINDSAY ARMSTRONG Dressed in intricately woven skirts, two dancers from the Kinding Sindaw More than 250 people crowded into St. ensemble fluttered fans in a dance repre - Brendan’s auditorium on a recent Sun - senting Mindanao’s culture. Mindanao, day evening to celebrate the 17th the southernmost region of the Philip - anniversary of the church’s Filipino pines, has a significant Islamic presence parish. that has influenced the culture. Lumen Castaneda, a former resident At the opposite end of the spectrum, of Norwood, founded the parish in con - a troupe from Folklorico Filipino held junction with St. Brendan’s in 1994. The bibles and twirled in gowns fit for Span - church offers a monthly mass in Taga - ish royalty. Their dance celebrated the log, the Philippine native tongue. relationship between Philippine women Head pastor, Father George Stewart and the Catholic catechism. says the group is a vibrant part of the Ilona Legaspi, one of the dancers, larger church community. “This is a came to the U.S. when she was six years very ethnically diverse parish. We have old. She said that performing with Folk - 48 nations represented and they all add lorico gives her a sense of cultural to the experience,” Stewart said. “We’re pride. very excited for them.” “Not everyone knows where the Following a mass in Tagalog and a Philippines is or who we are. It feels procession honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz, great to promote our culture,” Legaspi the first Filipino saint, event organizers said. “And for us, growing up in Ameri - Pennie Badana, Rosie Prado and Lucy ca, it is a good way to connect.” Villalba, invited current and former That sense of connection is exactly parishioners to a night filled with what brought so many people to the 17th music, dancing, and lechon, a tradition - anniversary celebration, even those who al roast pork dish. left the Bronx long ago. “We invited a lot of organizations Dolores Tolentino moved to Rockland from the Bronx, Connecticut, and County in the ’90s but returned for the Westchester. Each organization will anniversary because the Filipino parish have a presentation,” Badana said. at St. Brendan’s holds a special place in DANCERS FROM Folklorico Filipino perform during St. Brendan’s celebration of 17 “We’re excited because this is the first her memories. years of its Filipino parish (above). Ten other groups from all over the region perform time this has been done here.” “My sister was married here. My during St. Brendan’s Filipino celebration (below). Eleven groups took to the floor on friends were married here. My daugh - Oct. 9, performing songs and dances ters were baptized here,” Tolentino said. reflecting the diversity of influences in “St. Brendan’s is special to us. It’s more Photos by Lindsay Armstrong the Philippine culture. like home.” October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 7 8 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News
DCA #1087738 October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 9 10 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News Bronx Education Summit a Chance to Chart New Path
By RONALD CHAVEZ education. getting the financial support he needs to impact remains to be seen. “I think a “What happens here today will play a get the programs in place,” she said. summit like this is really important to For the first-ever Bronx Education major role in designing our borough’s Anne Campos, associate director for put a spotlight on the issues and shared Summit at Lehman College, Borough future policy on education,” said Diaz. He the Institute for Literacy Studies at concerns that educators, parents, and President Ruben Diaz, Jr. said he wanted pointed to a Bronx education icon to high - Lehman, said the summit’s long-term community people have.” to spark conversation. He got what he light the need for education reform. “Our wanted. flagship school — the Bronx High School In an early morning speech, education of Science — barely has any Bronx stu - scholar Diane Ravitch blasted the city’s dents within its walls.” education system since Mayor Michael Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott Bloomberg took the reigns in 2002, saying also spoke at the summit. He praised the rising test scores are misleading and that progress made by city schools, while at fewer and fewer of high school graduates the same time saying there was still work are prepared for college. to be done. “The DOE responds to systemic prob - Walcott also said he was ready to take lems with a simple formula,” she said. blame for education system failings. “I “The same formula now for 10 years: don’t mind getting beat up. I am paid to close the schools that enroll low perform - get beat up,” he said, perhaps hinting at ing students. Open new schools, especial - the criticism over his handling of the dis - ly charter schools. This doesn’t help chil - covery of harmful toxins in schools. The dren learn English.” former location of the Bronx New School, “What we lose with mayoral control is which was moved due to the discovery of not only accountability, but democracy,” harmful toxins, is just blocks away from she said, arguing that the Panel for Edu - Lehman College. cational Policy, which is supposed to be a For some parents, their kids, not poli - Photo by David Greene check and balance entity, largely placates tics, were their main concern. Paulette WOODLAWN CEMETERY employees and their supporters protest outside the the mayor. Dildy says she has nine kids and has been cemetery the day before a ceremony recognized Woodlawn as a national landmark. Diaz assembled figures in education to involved in parent organizations for 38 develop a roadmap for educational suc - years. She came to the summit concerned cess in the Bronx. The summit also pro - about funding for school programs. Cemetery Workers Say Problems Continue vided breakout information sessions to One of her children is in an individu - educate parents on prepping for college, alized education program. “I have one By DAVID GREENE Since his very first day of work in special education and early childhood that’s being left behind because he’s not 2005, Todd Brown says he has heard Nearly two years after filing a griev - supervisors use racial slurs when call - ance against the management of Wood - ing or speaking to employees. “I’ve lawn Cemetery, with claims of unfair watched blacks and Latinos discrimi - PS 51 Parents Rally, labor practices and racism, employees nated against by a lack of opportunity continue to speak out, even after 15 of 37 for advancement,” Brown says, workers were laid off in April. Brown says the recent layoffs, which Walcott Agrees to Meet A handful of workers and their sup - are being investigated by an indepen - porters gathered outside the cemetery dent arbitrator, amount to payback. “A (continued from p. 1) lems or other issues in the new building. on Saturday, Oct. 15, a day before a supervisor told me if it wasn’t for our Parents say the DOE has ignored their The issue has led to scrutiny over how plaque would be dedicated in honor of complaints and grievances, there never demands for a registry and medical mon - the DOE tests for hazardous chemicals. Woodlawn becoming a national land - would have been guys laid-off,” he said. itoring for current and former PS 51 stu - The Bloomberg administration began mark. Woodlawn officials said the layoffs dents. They also want the DOE to address testing leased sites in 2002 as leases were Frank Russo, a former U.S. Marine were needed to cut the cemetery’s bud - the school’s new building, which they say up for renewal. But Walcott has instead who has worked at Woodlawn since get by several thousand dollars. The has a leaky gym and faulty windows. expedited testing for the remaining 31 1979, said that since testifying before the cemetery now uses an independent con - “We don’t want to meet with him so he leased school sites. They’ve come out independent attorney who was investi - tractor to make up for its loss of man - clean, says Walcott, making PS 51 the gating workers’ claims last summer, he power. only leased site where the DOE felt the has become a target of supervisors. Workers will be holding a rally on “I’m praying for the next building was unsafe for students. “I worked for seven years in the cre - Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. at the cemetery’s Web - Data from New York Lawyers for the matory,” he said. “The minute I spoke to ster Avenue entrance. 20 years that my kid Public Interest showed hundreds of the attorney, that was it, my days were A day later, at the plaque unveiling doesn’t come down schools had tested positive for Polychlori - numbered there.” Russo, a white man for Woodlawn’s national landmark sta - nated Biphenyls (PCBs), another toxin tied who says he spoke out on behalf of tus, cemetery president John Toale with cancer.” to cancer and other diseases, according to minority employees, says he was imme - declined comment. “We’re not going to the Environmental Protection Agency. The diately transferred and lost his overtime, talk about anything like that today. This —Alan Gary solvent was found in light fixtures and which amounted to about $300 a week. is a day to celebrate,” he said. caulking in schools across the city. The caulking in one location at middle could say, ‘yeah, I heard you,’” said Kelly school IS 391 on Webster Avenue tested Lewis, whose daughter attended the positive for six times the EPA’s limit on Cemetery Landmarked school. “No, put something in place.” PCBs. The city plans to remove PCBs and “They’re really playing Russian replace lighting fixtures over the next 10 (continued from p. 1) ton and Carrie Chapman Cat and “cap - roulette with our kids’ lives,” said Alan years. resurgence of the Bronx. tains” of industry F.W. Woolworth and Gary, whose son attended the school from Parents say the threat of toxins high - “The renaissance of this borough Roland H. Macy. Joseph Pulitzer, known kindergarten to fifth grade. “I’m praying lights the need for more oversight over comes with hard work, and we’re cele - as the father of journalism, lies among for the next 20 years that my kid doesn’t school zones. brating the fruit of that labor today,” said the author of “Moby Dick,” Herman come down with cancer.” Umali Peña said her seven-year-old Diaz at the ceremony. Noting the 50 mil - Mellville, salsa legend Celia Cruz, and Parents had previously been denied a son missed 20 days of school last year suf - lion tourists the city receives yearly, Diaz jazz greats, Duke Ellington and Miles meeting with Walcott, with the chancel - fering from headaches and vomiting, one believes the designation will only bring Davis. lor saying he had “met his commitment,” of a number of kids who experienced more visitors to the cemetery. “We have people here that have to parents. symptoms that could be tied to the pres - “Look around you and see all these achieved fame in very different ways,” There is no date set for the meeting, ence of trichloroethylene. She said she people who have taken up final residency said Ultan. but Lewis said parents are worried the was tired of the DOE’s apologies. in Woodlawn Cemetery,” said Ultan. “We Ed. Note: The Cemetery is open to the DOE will try to “divide and conquer” par - “Stop saying I’m sorry,” she said. “We have people from all walks of life. ” public every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ents by only addressing the needs of cur - need to hold somebody accountable for Among the distinguished interred are and is located at the intersection of Jerome rent parents, like transportation prob - this.” female suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stan - and Bainbridge avenues. October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 11 Business Beat At Norwood Store, Cigars Are an Art
By LINDSAY ARMSTRONG Norwood resident Gregory Davis might not be as rec - ognizable as Giuliani, but he is also a Rosario’s regular Francisco Rosario sits at a worn wooden desk and an avid fan. behind a storefront window, transforming a pile of “They are number one,” he said. “I send all my flat, brown leaves into cigars as thick as Italian friends here. The flavor, the tobacco — even their light sausages. He holds the butt of a cigar snugly between cigars, which I don’t usually like, are good.” his lips as he works, tearing, smoothing, and rolling At 11 a.m. on a recent rainy Wednesday, the shop the fragrant leaves. Our Lady of Fatima, emblazoned maintained a steady flow of customers. Some simply on a gold medal hanging from his neck, presides over dashed in and out. Others lingered in the wood-paneled the ritual. room in the back, where the shelves are filled with neat Rosario, 52, has been making cigars since his child - rows of open cigar boxes. hood in the Dominican Republic. In spite of chatter to Cigars are the main draw, but Rosario’s is more than the contrary, he insists that Dominican cigars are the a place to buy an expertly rolled smoke. The shop has best. become something of a neighborhood clubhouse. “Cubans are famous because no one can get them Throughout the day, people stop in to sink into one of here,” he said in a mix of Spanish and English. “But three over-stuffed leather sofas, relax, and enjoy a cigar. Dominican cigars are better. They have two kinds of The topic of conversation often turns to baseball: the tobacco. We have eight.” Yankees, for native New Yorkers, or the Aguilas Cibae - After moving to New York at age 34, Rosario dreamed nas for Dominican-born fans. of opening his own cigar shop. Eight years later, that Perhaps this is the real draw of Rosario’s Cigars — it dream became a reality. Rosario’s Cigars, on East Gun is a place where the hectic pace of life slows down, if Hill Road in Norwood, is now celebrating its 10th only for a moment. anniversary. “A cigar is all about time,” said first-time customer The shop, manned by Francisco and his brother Robert DeLeon, 43, a construction worker. “And I never Leonardo, is one of only a handful of places in the city have any time anymore.” that makes cigars the traditional way. Over the years, With that, he takes his purchase and walks back out Photo by Lindsay Armstrong Rosario’s has built up a loyal following, including for - into the hustle and bustle of the Bronx. FRANCISCO ROSARIO of Rosario’s Cigars on Gun Hill mer Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose framed picture hangs From behind his desk, Francisco Rosario nods in Road. on the wall. agreement and turns back to his work. www.norwoodnews.org
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Call (718) 324-4998 12 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News Neighborhood Notes Annual Fair and Flea Media Marketing class on Nov. 2 from 10 ed at 627 E. 187th St., will hold its 105th information, call (212) 340-0918. a.m. to 1 p.m. at CUNY on the Concourse, anniversary dinner-dance on Oct. 23 at Lehman College Art Market 2501 Grand Concourse, 3rd floor. For more Maestro’s Caterers, 1703 Bronxdale Ave. The Bedford Park Congregational information or to register, call (718) 960- Cocktail hour from 3 to 4 p.m. will be fol - Gallery’s Fall Programs Church, at the corner of Bainbridge 8806. lowed by dinner and music by the Bronx The Art Gallery at Lehman College, Avenue and 201st Street, presents its Wanderers. Tickets are $85 per person. 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., is offering a annual Fun Fair and Flea Market on Sat - MMCC Senior Center For more information or to RSVP, call number of programs, workshops, gallery urday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help Rita Calabro at (718) 295-3770. tours and for-credit classes this fall. For raise funds to replace its roof. Food and Events more information, contact Xochitl raffles will be available. For more infor - The Mosholu Montefiore Senior Cen - Food Stamp Help This Higuchi at (718) 960-7492 or mation, call (718) 733-3199. ter, located at 3450 DeKalb Ave., offers flu [email protected]. shots on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon, spon - Winter Domestic Violence Walk sored by CVS (advance registration is If you’re worried about paying both Sweepstakes Attached to required; you must bring your insurance your heating and groceries bills this win - October is Domestic Violence Aware - information with you); and a free movie ter, you may be eligible for food stamp ness Month, and as part of this effort, stu - School Meals Application (title to be announced), with free pop - benefits. Mosholu Montefiore Communi - NYC Schools Chancellor Dennis Wal - dents from over 30 SUNY and CUNY corn, on Oct 26 at 12:30 p.m. For more ty Center, at 3450 DeKalb Ave., is offering cott and NY Jets Tight End Dustin Keller schools will join Assemblywoman Naomi information, call (718) 798- 6601. food stamp assistance through the Nutri - announced a sweepstakes for an all- Rivera on Oct. 25 in a walk around their tion Outreach and Education Program by expense paid trip for two to the NFL Pro campuses to raise awareness on domestic Hunger Solutions New York. For more Bowl in Hawaii in January, to encourage violence. The Bronx event will be held in information, contact Vilma Santos at parents to apply for free or reduced Mercy College’s main lobby, 1200 Waters MMCC Adult Basketball (718) 882-4000, ext. 304. lunches for their children. To apply, par - Place, at 12:45 p.m. For more information, League ents can call their principals, or access call (718) 409-0109. The Mosholu Montefiore Community the application at www.nyc.applyfor - Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave., offers adult bas - Free Teen and Pre-Teen lunch.com or www.nyc.gov/accessnyc. ketball, Mondays and Fridays from 7 to October Career Fair After-School Programs Applications processed by Oct. 21 are eli - 8:15 p.m. Players must be 21 years or older Monroe College will host a Job and A Pre-Teen Program for 11- to 13-year- gible for a variety of prizes. The Grand and each team is responsible to pay refer - Internship Career Fair at its King Hall olds and a Teen Program for 14- to 18- Prize winner, selected in a random draw - ees. A coaches/players meeting will be Gym at 2501 Jerome Ave. on Wednesday, year-olds offer homework help, video pro - ing, will be announced on Oct. 24. held Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. for all interested par - Oct. 26 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Register at duction, poetry workshops, drama, ties. The league begins Nov. 4 and http://www.experience.com/emp/cf_deta photography, and more. School pickups includes nine scheduled games plus play - Tax Planning for Small ils?fhnd=4768. For more information, call are available by request. Program loca - offs. Included in the $600 per 10-man team (718) 933-8650. tion is at 3418 Gates Place. For more Businesses fee are T-shirts, trophies and an MVP information, call Aisha, Mahagony, or The Small Business Development award. For more information, call Chris Jorge at (718) 405-1312, or e-mail Center is hosting a free Year-End Tax Non-Violence March Pinto at (718) 882-4000 ext. 280. [email protected]. Planning workshop on Wednesday, Nov. Join the march beginning on 195th 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CUNY on the Street, between Reservoir and Jerome Children Needed for Study Concourse, 2501 Grand Concourse. For avenues, on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. Children’s Speech The Division of Behavioral Sciences more information or to register, call to 1 p.m. in support of non-violence and at Albert Einstein College of Medicine is (718) 960-8806 or email in memory of Sean Lamont Williams and Program recruiting typically developing boys, The Mount Saint Ursula Speech Cen - [email protected]. Gloria Thompson and all those who have aged 2 ½ and 3 ½ years old for a research ter, at 2885 Marion Ave., is accepting lost their lives to violence. For more study to look at how children see the applications for its fall program. There information, call (718) 618-7550. KHCC Fall Programs world and pay attention. The study are morning and afternoon openings for The Kingsbridge Heights Community involves one visit for approximately 2 ½ children ages 2 to 15 who are in need of Center, at 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace, Hospice Seeks Volunteers hours with a $50 compensation. For more speech and language services. Medicaid, offers Tween and Teen Programs for MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care will information, call (718) 430-2463. A sepa - private pay (with sliding scale), and some youth in grades 6 to 12; a College Direc - hold free volunteer training sessions for rate study is seeking typically developing types of insurance are accepted. For tions class offering help with applica - interested individuals on Oct. 25 and 30 children ages 6 to 17 who have been diag - more information, call (718) 584-7679. tions, scholarships and the SATs; after from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance registration nosed with an autism spectrum disorder. school care for ages 6 to 12; pregnancy is required, and can be completed on the This study may involve up to three visits Free English Classes classes; special needs programs for youth website at hospicenyc.org. For more lasting 3 to 4 hours, with a $12 per hour The New York Public Library offers ages 5 to 21, and more. For more informa - information, call (212) 420-2562 or visit compensation. For more information, free English classes at selected libraries tion or to register, call (718) 884-0700. [email protected]. call (718) 862-1848. across the Bronx, in association with the Riverside Language Program, Inc., for For more Neighborhood Notes Free Business Class 105th Anniversary Dinner- adults 16 and older. Space is limited and online, go to www.norwoodnews.org The Bronx Small Business Develop - Dance registration must be done in person. To and click on “Neighborhood Notes” ment Center is offering a free Social find a participating location and for more in the right-hand column. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, locat - October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 13 Classifieds
REAL ESTATE Professional Directory Apt. for Rent: One-bedroom apartment, 2400 Davidson Ave. $850 a month rent, near transportation, stores and schools. Call Beautician Services Pediatric Services Non-Denominational Services Nancy or Jim (212) 799-2365. Come to Madame P’s Beauty Tiga Pediatrics Good news Christian Church FOR SALE World 3510 Bainbridge Ave., Suite 5, 3061 Bainbridge Ave. (basement of The last old-fashioned hairdresser Bronx, NY 10467 the Church of the Holy Nativity), Auto: 1997 Town & Country LX: Winter in the Bronx. Ages 0 to 21 years Bronx, NY 10467. (347) 329-0023. green, interior mint condition, CD and cas - We specialize in haircutting, hair General Practice, Obesity, Asthma, Pastors James and Andrea Miller. sette player, 220K highway miles, could go to care, and provide consultations ADHD Sunday service at 2 p.m. Home fel - 350K with good maintenance. For sale $675. on hair care and weaving to stim - Same-Day Appointment Every Day! lowship bible studies on Call (845) 476-4018. ulate hair growth. We do tinting (718) 319-8999 Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Friday night and use all manners of relaxers, prayer service at 7 pm. Visit us at SERVICES AVAILABLE including Mizani, Affirm, www.goodnewscc.wordpress.com. Fiberguard, and Vitale. We use Lawyers Tutor: K-9 teacher NYS certified, ESL certi - Wave Nouveau Coiffure. We are fied, former NY Times cartographer/staff edi - still doing carefree curls and tor. (718) 644-1083. press and curl. 20% off for James M. Visser, esq. seniors Tuesdays, Wednesdays, General Practice; Accidents, Yoga: Stretching, meditation, drumming or and Thursdays. Commmercial; Wills & Estates; dancing on Fridays and Sundays. $10 per ses - Offices Bronx and Manhattan sion. RSVP (718) 644-1083 or email 617 E. Fordham Road (between (646) 260-6326 [email protected]. Arthur and Hughes), Bronx, NY 10458. (Fordham University RELIGIOUS SERVICES Section). Call today for your appointment: (347) 284-3834. Glad Tidings Assembly of God: 2 Van Cortlandt Ave. E. and Jerome Avenue. (718) 367-4040. Pastor: Efrian Figueroa, Sunday Service at 11 a.m . 1. Classifieds: All classified ads (like those on this page) are $9 for the first 20 words and 25 cents for each additional word . The phone number counts as one word. MERCHANDISE WANTED 2. Professional Directory: An inexpensive way to tell our more than 40,000 readers about your profession - al services on a regular basis. (See above.) Rates are: $144 for six months; $260 for one year. Wanted to Buy: OLDE RHINESTONE/COSTUME JEW - ELRY - Gold/silver jewelry. Antiques-Furniture, porce - 3. Business Cards: Rates are as low as: $360 for six months (12 issues); $625 for one year (25 issues). lains/crystal, olde hats/linens/lace, olde postcards/foun - To place an ad, call the Norwood News at (718) 324-4998 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday tain pens, stamps/coins, sterling/silver plate, oriental rugs, thru Friday. olde paintings/prints, entire contents of apartments, cleanouts. Call Debbie in the Bronx (718) 796-3489. CO-OPS FOR SALE BRONX LOCATIONS: KINGSBRIDGE/NORWOOD GRAND CONCOURSE/WOODLAWN
3520 TRYON AVENUE We’re Proud to Provide Perfectly located co-op. Walk to Montefiore and Subway. Safe and Affordable “Handyman Special” 1 BR $97,000 Housing Throughout Maint: $548.45 The Northwest Bronx. 4380 VIREO AVENUE Studios and 1 Bedroom 2 BR-JR $169,000.00 Apartments Available Maint: $543.69 Studios for rent @ $900, No Fee Pick up application at: TO VIEW AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation Sherry and Sons, Inc. 2751 Grand Concourse, The Bronx (914) 793-1793 ext.16 718-367-3200 www.sherryandsons.com 14 ■ October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News
■ The Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton in October featuring Focus On the Bronx, a aEDITOR’S PICK Ave. (149th Street) presents Fly- photo tour including admission to Wave Hill Babies/Piojos, a Latino musical comedy, and several stops in the Bronx, Oct. 22; and performed in English and Spanish with Biking Through Bronx History, including simultaneous supertitle translations, Oct. 21 admission to two Bronx museums and lunch Happy Halloween! through Nov. 20. Previews Oct. 21 to 23 in City Island, Oct. 29. Pickup is at 9 a.m. begin at 8 p.m. For more information, ticket and return is at 4 p.m. from midtown The public is invited to enjoy the following events this holiday season: prices, and program schedule, call (718) Manhattan. Advance purchase is required 585-1202. online only. Tickets are available at ■ The Bronx Zoo will host Boo at the Zoo weekends in October, featuring a haunted www.bronxsightseeing.com. Bronx loca - safari, lost hayride, magic shows, and more. Kids in costume get in free (one child ages ■ The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance tions for meeting and leaving tour groups 3 to 12 with the purchase of one adult ticket), free under age 3. For more information, (BAAD), 841 Barretto St., presents BlakTina are available upon registration. Tickets are call (718) 220-5100. Performance Series, a variety of shows $25/adults; $20/children/seniors. For more through Oct. 28 ending with Closing Night: information, call (718) 590-3518. ■ Bring yourself and your pet dog, both in costume, to Howl-O-Ween, at the Canine Danse Macabre and Monster Mash at 8 Court Dog Run and Playground at Van Cortlandt Park, Oct. 30 from noon to 2 p.m. for a p.m. ($15 includes post show Halloween ■ The Bronx Council on the Arts presents a holiday celebration. Join the costume contest for the most original, scariest, funniest party with a midnight costume/monster con - free workshop, The Color of Heroes – pet/owner look-alike featuring a $25 gift certificate for first place winners from test). For more information and a detailed Marionettes With a Message: Leaning Life Fieldston Pets. Registration is $10/dog; $5/each additional dog. Preregister at schedule, or to RSVP, call (718) 842-5223. Skills Through the Arts, for ages 4 to 8, a www.pawsacrossamerica.com or register at event. For more information, call (718) marionette show to learn tips on what to do 796-4541. ■ Casita Maria Center for Arts and during natural disasters, at the Huntington Education, 928 Simpson St., 6th floor Open Free Library, 9 Westchester Square, Oct. 20 ■ Bronx Council on the Arts presents Halloween Arts & Craft, a free family craft Arts Space (at East 163rd Street), presents at 4 p.m. (RSVP to http://colorofheroes. workshop, to be held at the Huntington Free Library, 9 Westchester Square, Oct. 22, two free events: Bacchae, performed by the eventbrite.com or call (718) 829-7770); and from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Participants can create stuffed ghosts, ghouls or creatures. For Morphoses Dance Company, Oct. 27 at 8 at BCA’s Bronx Writers Center located in the more information, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 33 or visit www.bronxarts.org. p.m., with a simultaneous live feed from the Westchester Square Library, 2521 Glebe Joyce Theatre’s Thursday night perfor - Ave., Oct. 22 at 11 a.m . (RSVP to http://col - ■ The Amalgamated Nursery School is hosting a Halloween Party, Sunday, Oct. 30 mance; and Remembering Celia Cruz, Oct. orofheroesat.eventbrite.com or call (718) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vladeck Hall, Amalgamated Houses, 74 Van Cortlandt Pk. So., 20 to Nov. 22 (opening reception is at 6 863-0436). RSVP is mandatory. For more at Hillman Avenue. Admission is $8/adults; free for kids. For more information, call p.m. and is preceded by a panel discussion). information, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 12. (718) 543-8688. For more information and to RSVP, call (718) 589-2230 ext. 6055. ■ Lehman College, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. ■ The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park presents two events: The Ghoul Pool at VC Park , W., presents two free events: poet Sonia Oct. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. to get the scare of your life deep in the passageways of the Sanchez , will give a special reading and dis - pool’s old bathhouse (enter the park at Broadway and West 242nd Street near the cuss poetry, Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m. in the northern stairway of the #1-train; for more information, call (718) 601-1553); and The Events Lovinger Theatre; and Dr. Nathan Grawe, a Mysterious, the Menacing and the Mesmerizing, Oct. 29 to 31, to spend Halloween ■ Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. leader in the Quantitative Reasoning move - at Woodlawn Cemetery for a spooky and surreal experience including spine tingling and the Belmont Business Improvement ment, the application of practical mathemat - tales of murder, intrigue and NYC legends and lore (meet at Jerome Avenue entrance at District invite the public to celebrate Italian- ical solutions to everyday issues, will give a 6 p.m.; $20/fee; for more information, call (718) 920-1470). American Heritage with a Little Taste of talk, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in Room B84-86 of Belmont, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carman Hall. For more information, call ■ Wear a scary costume to the New York Botanical Garden’s Halloween Parades, Belmont Library’s Enrico Fermi Cultural (718) 960-8211/7963/8675. weekends through Oct. 30, at noon and 2 p.m., in the Everett Children’s Adventure Center, 610 E. 186th St. Enjoy live entertain - Garden. Fee: $10 to $20. For more information, call (718) 817-8700. ment and Italian taste treats at NY’s Little ■ JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Italy, Arthur Avenue. For more information Sedgewick Ave., presents Baby Soda Jazz Pk. Blvd. W., presents A Midsummer and to RSVP, call (718) 590-3989. Band, Oct. 23, preceded by lunch at 12:15 Onstage Night’s Dream, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m., Nov. 3 p.m. Recommended senior contribution is to 5 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 3 p.m., in the ■ The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park seeks $3 for lunch and $2 for the entertainment; ■ The Mosholu Library, at 285 E. 205th St., Speech and Theatre Building’s Studio participants for its Croton Trail Volunteer and Lost Synagogues of Eastern Europe, offers Opera, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. For more Theatre, performed by Lehman students and Day, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m., to help with a for - an illustrated power point presentation, Oct. information, call (718) 882-8239. alumni. A special matinee for high school est restoration project along the Old Croton 25 at 1 p.m. preceded by lunch at 12:15 students will be performed on Nov. 4 at 2 Aqueduct Trail by removing non-native p.m. Suggested senior contribution is $2 for ■ The Lehman Center for the Performing p.m. Tickets are $10; $8 with CUNY I.D. and plants and planting native trees and shrubs. lunch and $1 for the art presentation. For Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents free for Lehman students with valid I.D. and Meet at the last stop of the #4-train at more information and to RSVP, call (718) Paquito D’Rivera and The Mambo Legends can be purchased at box office on the day of Jerome and Bainbridge avenues. For more 549-4700. Orchestra, performing Latin jazz, Oct. 29 at the performance. For more information, call information, call (718) 601-1553. 8 p.m. (tickets are $35 to $50); National (718) 960-7963. ■ The Friends of Woodlawn offers Take a Acrobats of the People’s Republic of ■ The public is invited to participate in the Nostalgic Train Ride to Woodlawn: The China, featuring 35 artists performing to tra - ■ Lehman College, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. Tour de Bronx, NYS’s largest free bicycling End of the Line, With the Transit Museum, a ditional Chinese music, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. W., presents its Community Band perform - event, on Sunday, Oct. 23. Meet at the round trip excursion on a vintage train to (tickets are $25 to $45; $10/12 and under); ing a variety of music, free, in the Lovinger Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Woodlawn Cemetery from Manhattan for a and Compañía Flamenca José Porcel, fea - Theatre, Oct. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. For more Concourse at 161st Street at 9:30 a.m. The guided tour and a boxed lunch, Oct. 23 at 10 turing gypsy music with performances by information, call (718) 960-8247. 25-mile route leaves at 10:40 a.m. and the a.m. $50/Transit Museum members; singers, dancers and musicians, Nov. 6 at 4 40-mile route leaves at 10:30 a.m. Register $35/ages 3 to 17; $65/non members; p.m. (tickets are $25 to $40; $10/12 and ■ The New York Botanical Garden presents at www.tourdebronx.org. For more informa - $50/children. For more information and under). For more information, call (718) 960- Traditional Japanese Music and Dance tion, call (718) 590-3518. meeting location, call (718) 694-1867 or 8833. Performances, weekends through Oct. 30 visit www.mta.info/museum. at 1 and 3 p.m. Fee: $10 to $20. For more ■ The Bronx Tourism Council invites the ■ The Lehman College Theatre, 250 Bedford information, call (718) 817-8700. public to its Bronx Action Tours, Saturdays ■ Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical October 20 –November 2, 2011 ■ Norwood News ■ 15
Culture’s Meeting House, 4450 Fieldston Rd., presents Global Partners, Jr. (registration required; ages 5 to 12), www.nypl.org. Saving Indigenous Culture Saves Us All, a talk, Oct. 23 at students connect worldwide via the Internet, Oct. 26 and 11 a.m. For more information, call (718) 548-4445. Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.; Pumpkin Bag Making (ages 5 to 12), Oct. ■ The Mosholu Library, at 285 E. 205th St., offers Perfectly 27 at 4 p.m.; Halloween Spooktacular (registration Penguin, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. (ages 3 to 12); Halloween ■ Barnes & Noble, located at 290 Baychester Ave. in Bay required; ages 3 to 12), Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.; Baby Story Time, Candy Fun, (teens/young adults), Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.; a free Plaza, will host author Artie Bennett, writer of The Butt Oct. 29 at 11 a.m.; Radical Robots (registration required; Intermediate Level English Conversation Program for Book, for a reading and signing, free, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m., at ages 3 to 12), Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.; and Leaf Book Making, speakers of other languages (ages from 16 years), Tuesdays story time for ages 2 to 12, followed by a fun activity. For (ages 5 to 12), Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. Teens and young adults may through Nov. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; Knitting Circle at 3 more information, call (718) 862-3945. attend Meet the Author, Oct. 25 at 3:30 p.m.; and p.m., Oct. 20 and 27, for adults; and Wii Program, Presenting: You, Nov. 1 at 3:30 p.m. Adults can attend film Tuesdays at 3 p.m. for seniors and adults. For more informa - ■ Williamsbridge Oval Park presents Walk NYC, Tuesdays, featuring Indian Cinema: Earth, Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m.; The tion, call (718) 882-8239. Thursdays and Saturdays, 8 to 9 a.m., led by a trained walk - Bronx River’s Afro-American Heritage in 100 Golden ing instructor, through the park (strollers and dogs on leash - Moments, Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m.; and The Secret Life of ■ The Jerome Park Library, at 118 Eames Place, offers es are welcome). Money, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. Families can attend Civil Rights & Cooking for teens and young adults, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. For Liberties: Our Freedoms, Our Equality, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.; more information, call (718) 549-5200. ■ P.S. 94, at 3530 Kings College Place, offers free ESL Civics Class (state and local politics), Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.; and classes, Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5:10 to 8:30 p.m. To Voting and Elections: Our Democracy at Work, Nov. 3 at NOTE: Items for consideration may be mailed to our office or register, come to room 256 or call Miriam Seminario at 6 p.m. English Language Learners can apply for English sent to [email protected], and should be (347) 563-4772. Classes for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). For received by Oct. 31 for the next publication date of Nov. 3. more information, call (718) 579-4244/46 or visit Find more events at www.bronxnewsnetwork.org. ■ The New York Botanical Garden presents Cooking for Your Health, Wednesdays through October at 12:30 p.m., near the Visitors Center reflecting pool. Grounds-only admis - sion is free all day Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, call (718) 817-8700.
■ The public is invited to ride the Nov. 2 free Bronx Culture Trolley, which transports visitors on the first Wednesday of every month (except January and September) to Bronx hot spots, all featuring a variety of entertainment options and ends at Sweetwater’s Bar & Grill for music, food and drink. Trolley night starts with a 5 p.m. reception at the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.). From there, the trolley departs at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. New attractions are added month - ly; admission to most venues is free. Riders can get on and off at any scheduled stop and spend as much time as they wish at any or all of the featured venues. For more informa - tion and a detailed schedule, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 33 or log on to www.bronxarts.org. Exhibits
■ The Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture’s Meeting House, 4450 Fieldston Rd., presents For Love of Line: A Visual Vocabulary, through October. For more information, call (718) 548-4445.
■ The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse at 165th St., presents Muntadas: Information, Space, Control, through Jan. 16; and Urban Archives: Emilio Sanchez in the Bronx, through Jan. 2. Open House is on Oct. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free on Fridays. A three-day conference, Beyond the Super-Square at the Corner of Art & Architecture will be held Oct. 28 to 30, free with registration. For more information, call (718) 681-6000.
■ Lehman College’s Art Gallery, located at 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Sticks and Stones, through Jan. 6, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also: Meet curators of El Museo’s Biennial: The (S) Files 2011, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. followed by wine and cheese. For more information, call (718) 960-8731. Library Events
■ The Bronx Library Center, at 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd. off Fordham Road, presents programs for kids including Preschool Story Time, Oct. 20, 27 and Nov. 3 at 11 a.m.; Toddler Story Time, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m.; The Life of Leonardo da Vinci (ages 5 to 12), Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.; Optical Illusions (registration required; ages 3 to 12), Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.; Film Day, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.;